North Bengkulu and The Potency of Kurotidur’s Youth The Visit of Board and Executive Director at Stube HEMAT Multiplication, 8-11 May 2017
Friday, 12 May 2017by adminstube
Bengkulu, is one of the provinces in Sumatra which became a destination for the trans-migrant from Java since 1933, during Dutch occupation. The trans-migrant was brought to a region which is known today as Kemumu Village, District of Arma Jaya, North Bengkulu. Bengkulu province consists of 9 Regencies and 1 Municipality, covering:
1. South Bengkulu Regency
2. Central Bengkulu Regency3. North Bengkulu Regency
4. Kaur Regency
5. Kepahiang Regency
6. Lebong Regency
7. Mukomuko Regency
8. Rejang Lebong Regency
9. Seluma Regency
10. Bengkulu Municipality
Stube HEMAT multiplication is located in North Bengkulu (Arga Makmur) regency, precisely at sub-district 7 MT, Margasakti village, district of Padang Jaya. The local name of the region is Kurotidur orKwaotiduak (Rejang ethnic group language). Rejang ethnic group is the native people of Bengkulu who live in the particular area before Padang Jaya district. This governmental center can be reached within 2 hours by car from the Fatmawati Soekarno airport, with swirling road between rubber and oil palm plantation after passing Bengkulu City. Local residents’ houses look so neat which are majority constructed with stone and some traditional wooden houses on stilts.
Youth in this multiplication area is generation of their ancestors, Javanese trans-migrant. The youth, either man or woman has ability to cultivate farms and plantation. Parents with high idealism will send their children to continue their study in Java, so they could become teachers, priests, or office workers. Unfortunately, the youth here commonly have only Junior or Senior High School educational background. They grow up in simplicity way with one obsession working in their lands without ever experiencing forums to open their social, economy, politic, or cultural knowledge
Based on the conversation and discussion with them, there are some points to be noted:
1. They’re happy to obtain a mentor and motivator like Yohanes Dian Alpasa as the actor of Stube HEMAT multiplication in Northern Bengkulu that gives them place to gather and chance to discuss many positive things.
2. Before Stube HEMAT multiplication comes, church youth doesn’t have a place to gather around because there is no activity done for a long time, however now they are motivated to meet and talk together, such as in Bible Studies.
3. Most of this youth said that they want to go to work immediately after graduating from school to help their parent’s economy that depends on rubber and oil palm with inconsistent price.
It is not surprising if child marriage is common here. Data from Center of Statistic of Bengkulu Province in 2015 showed that 20,01% of women married at age of 17-18, 13,80% is pregnant at the age of 16. The consequently effect of that, is the increasing risk of the death rate of mother and infant. Another shocking fact is the threat of narcotics has also endangered the life of youth in village.
The existence of Stube HEMAT multiplication in this region is vital to provide a place for the youth to increase their social, politic, culture, or economy knowledge, also personal development and critical thinking that could support youth participation to empower society and develop their region. (AN).